St. Louis celebrates 25 years of return of Latin Mass

Submitted on March 10, 2010

By Barbara Watkins | bwatkins@archstl.org

Canon Jason Apple, vicar of St. Francis de Sales Oratory in South St. Louis, blessed the faithful at Mass March 5. The 25th anniversary of the return of the traditional Latin Mass in the archdiocese will be celebrated with a Solemn High Mass at the oratory at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 14.

Lisa A. Johnston

Twenty-five years ago, an ancient Catholic tradition returned to St. Louis. The traditional Latin Mass, brought back to St. Louis in 1985, started with a modest beginning -- celebrated on the first Saturday of each month at St. Agatha Church. Today, the traditional Latin Mass is celebrated at several sites. Two oratories, St. Francis de Sales and Sts. Gregory and Augustine, have been erected specifically as homes for the traditional Latin Mass.